Unraveling the Implementation of Kenya’s Environmental Diplomacy Pillar in Mitigating Air Pollution: A Case of Nairobi City County

Environmental issues have in recent decades occupied center stage in international politics with increasing adoption of agreements on the environment signifying a shifting focus by states to greater cooperation on environmental matters. Air pollution has attracted the most attention internationally due to its link to climate change which has had devastating effects globally. Different states have therefore adopted international environmental treaties and initiated diverse policies and actions domestically in an attempt to change the trend in air pollution. The implementation of these measures has however been criticized as air pollution continues to rise. Kenya’s environmental diplomacy pillar under the foreign policy document of 2014 committed the country to sustainable environmental management as a contribution to international environmental efforts. Evidence however indicates that air pollution continues particularly in Nairobi City County. This study therefore sought to examine the envisioned implementation of the pillar in the context of other existing environmental laws. The areas of focus included establishing the extent to which the pillar has been implemented, the agencies involved and their capacity and the detailed implementation framework. Other areas were the extent of domestication of environmental treaties on air pollution and the envisioned impact of Kenya’s environmental diplomacy pillar at the grassroots level. The study employed exploratory research design and targeted 130 key informants from institutions concerned with environmental matters from which a sample of 30% was drawn. It used both primary and secondary data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and conceptual content analysis and the results were presented in a narrative supported by tables. The study recommends formulation and publicization of a detailed implementation framework for the environmental diplomacy pillar to clarify linkages between international and domestic environmental actions and synergize efforts at the different levels. It also calls for adequately resourcing institutions involved in the implementation of the pillar and seeking partnerships to enhance local capacity for air pollution management.